Roofing Square

Definition

A unit of roof area equal to 100 square feet, used by roofing contractors for material ordering and bidding. A 2,400 square foot roof is 24 squares. Asphalt shingle bundles typically cover one-third of a square; three bundles make one square. Material ordering adds 10% waste for simple gable roofs, 15% for hip roofs with multiple valleys, and 20%+ for complex roofs with dormers, turrets, or intersecting planes. National averages for asphalt shingle installation run $350-550 per square including labor and materials.